Face mask for safe use by bearded users

ABSTRACT

An improved face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user including a frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh is disclosed. The frame is folded into and out of a folded position for proper insertion and removal from the face mask and to adjust the face mask for a secured fit along the outer and bottom edges of the beard of a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to utility patent application number U.S. Ser. No. 17/222/702 filed Apr. 5, 2021, now pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an improved face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user and which in its preferred embodiment is configured to cover the nose, mouth, face, and beard. The face mask is removably attached to the user's beard by means of a frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh being provided thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of face masks have been used as public and personal health control devices to manage the spread of viruses. In most cases, it has become an imperative to wear a face mask in schools, healthcare settings, public transportation, and at locations where food is served. The face mask further prevents the spread of germs that cause respiratory diseases by blocking the release of expiratory droplets produced during speech, sneezing, or coughing. In general, wearing a face mask of the type provided herein can help stop the spreading of respiratory infectious diseases or from unknowingly spreading it to others. This can be done with other preventative actions such as those prescribed by government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A well-recognized problem with face masks is that a beard creates an impediment to safe use and proper fitting. Experts believe that the effectiveness of mask-wearing is reduced if the length and thickness of the beard creates more space between the user's face and the mask. This puts the user at risk for viruses. In the case of users with short facial hair, the mask is often applied on top of the hair and is pushed towards the skin. Users with fuller amounts of facial hair position the face mask between the hair by creating parts in the hair and pushing through the edges of the mask. Further massaging and adjusting of the mask is required to achieve the desired fit.

It is believed, however, that none of the face masks that have been constructed to address the transmission concerns of a pandemic describe the present disclosure as prescribed herein. Developing an improved face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user as described herein therefore addresses an unmet need in the art. In addition, the face mask is non-restrictive, non-occluding to the airway, comfortable to wear, and further prevents the release and inhalation of viral or pathogenic materials.

To this end, the novel and distinctive features of the invention consist of a plurality of face mask support elements that are provided on the exterior or interior of the face mask.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an improved face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user and which in its preferred embodiment is configured to cover the beard, nose, mouth, and face of a user.

It is an additional advantage of the present invention to provide an improved face mask that is removably attached to a user's beard by a frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh being provided between the first arm and the second arm. The frame is provided with hinges to fold the frame and for controlling the opening and closing movements of the frame for placement inside the mask and across the user's face. The hinges are configured to allow the frame to fold into and out of a folded position to facilitate the insertion and removal of the frame from the face mask and to adjust the face mask along the outer and bottom edges of the beard of a user.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of any described embodiment, suitable methods and materials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. In case of conflict with terms used in the art, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent when considered in light of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments are illustrated by way of the figures of the accompanying drawings, which may not necessarily be to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary view of the face mask described herein.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate interior views of the face mask.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective of the frame being removed from the face mask.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective of the frame in a folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is the contemplated mode of carrying out the use of the face mask as described herein. Although the face mask for safe use by bearded users has been explained in relation to the depicted embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the face mask may be used to protect the beard of a user and the construction as provided herein can be used to enhance various types of face masks including N95 respirators, cloth face masks, dust masks, surgical masks, face masks used in sports, and the like that are used for decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user and which in their preferred embodiment are configured to cover the, nose, mouth, and face of the user.

The materials for the face mask as provided herein can be provided in a standard construction including the provision of commonly available textiles and breathable materials, including absorbent material, such as cotton, non-woven non-absorbent material, such as polypropylene, polyester, or polyester blends. And as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the inventors of the present invention will specify the number of layers and the composition, weave, weight, and thread count, for each layer of the selected materials.

An improved face mask 10 is disclosed. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary type of face mask 10 whereby the face mask 10 can be securely worn as recommended using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements by first placing the face mask 10 over the beard 12, nose and mouth, securing the face mask 10 along the beard 12, fitting the face mask 10 snugly over the beard 12, and further ensuring that you are able to breathe easily.

The face mask 10 includes side edges 18, a bottom rim 28, a top rim 22 with outer ends 48, an interior portion for receiving the beard 24, an exterior portion 26 for covering the face 14, and flaps 32 that are resealable for receiving a frame in the interior portion 24 thereof. The face mask 10 further comprises the frame 34 having a first arm 36, a second arm 38, and a mesh 42 being provided between the first arm 36 and the second arm 38. The frame 34 is provided with hinges 35 to fold the frame 34 and for controlling the opening and closing movements of the frame 34 for placement inside the mask and across the user's face 14. The hinges 35 are configured to allow the frame 34 to be folded into and out of a folded position to facilitate the insertion and removal of the frame 34 from the face mask 10 as desired by the user 16 and to adjust the face mask 10 along the outer edges 44 and bottom edges 46 of the beard 12 of a user 16. The seal provided within the flaps 32 can be Velcro, hook and eye fasteners, friction-gripping materials, hooked fabric strips, adhesive peels and the like to allow the frame 34 to be inserted or removed therefrom. In addition, the seal is provided to flex and gradually release each flap from the other and to make certain that the flaps 32 do not release the frame 34 when the mask is being used. The seal further permits the frame 34 to be removed as desired using normal removal movements.

The side edges 18 of the face mask 10 are inwardly opposed and converge from the outer ends 48 of the top rim 22 and toward the bottom rim 28 of the face mask 10. The side edges 18 of the face mask 10 are further capable of extending along the face 14 of the user 16 and along the outer edges 44 and bottom edges 46 of the beard 12 of a user 16. The frame 34 of the face mask 10 is removable from the releasable flaps 32, is bendable and is constructed from a flexible material whereby the first arm 34 and the second arm 36 of the frame 34 are securely attachable to the face of a user 16 and are slidably engageable with the user's beard 12 to tighten the face mask 10 and retain to it in a fitted position there over.

It is desired that flexible materials that are strong, durable, easily bendable, and capable of maintaining a bent position when the face mask 10 is being adjusted is used to construct the frame 34. The selection of the materials to construct the frame 34 is generally based on various properties such as density, texture, aesthetics, cost effectiveness, adjustability, safety, workability, strength, and resistances to breakage, and deformation. These materials can include plastic, ropes, webbing material, other known mesh material, and the like for ensuring the folding and bending of the mesh. The orientation, patterns, thickness, and organization of the mesh structure can be changed as desired by a manufacturer or user 16. Once placed on the user's face nose, the mesh 42 cooperates with the left side arm 36 and the right side arm 38 to provide a secured fit of the face mask 10 and to prevent the intake or escape of pathogenic or respiratory droplets to and from the user 16. The top rim 22 and side edges 18 of the face mask 10 are secured around the perimeters of the face 14 and beard 12 and thereby comprising a moisture and pathogen barrier. Both side edges 22 possess additional curvature and inward bends to further achieve the relative uniformity to prevent the intake or escape of pathogenic materials or respiratory droplets.

The face mask 10 as described herein works equally well with various types of hair textures, and will not interfere with the normal use of a face mask 10. It will be apparent that the face mask 10 shown in the drawings may be also modified within the scope of the claims as to the relative size and shape of the elements. For example the first arm and the second arm may be constructed much larger or much smaller than is shown in the drawings. However, it is preferred that the face mask 10 and the relative parts being described herein are large enough to be used as desired by a particular user 16.

An important aspect of the present invention as provided herein is the mesh 42 that is centrally attached on the first arm 36 and the second arm 38. Additional features can include the mesh 42 being switchable between various positions down the frame 34. Once properly adjusted in the frame 34 is enabled to ensure a more secured fit of the face mask 10.

The face mask 10 can also be constructed in a plurality of colors, textured patterns, embroidery, shapes, textures, prints, and designs to reflect the personal tastes and desires of the manufacturer or users. Insignia that are useful in a particular workplace where color is required for health or safety reasons can also be used. In addition, infinite numbers of additional elements such as logos, trademarks, family reunion decorations, sports memorabilia, and reflective materials can be applied and the fabric can be intermixed between various decorative patterns, knitting, and shape designs of materials typically used to construct the same.

This invention will be mass produced locally and can be readily available for use worldwide. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a face mask 10 that is affordable, reliable, easily manufactured, and relatively inexpensive. The face mask 10 can be made available for schools, churches, not-for-profit institutions, and in least-developed countries where the invention as prescribed herein is not easily manufactured or made commercially available.

Having described the invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A face mask for use in decreasing the transmission of viral and pathogenic materials to and from a user and which is configured to cover the beard and face of the user, the face mask having side edges, a bottom rim, a top rim with outer ends, an interior portion for receiving the beard, an exterior portion for covering the beard and the face, and resealable flaps provided on the interior portion of the of the face mask for receiving a frame therein, the face mask further comprising, a) the frame having a first arm, a second arm, and a mesh being provided between the first arm and the second arm, and the frame being provided with hinges to fold the frame and for controlling the opening and closing movements of the frame for placement inside the mask and across the user's face, the hinges being configured to allow the frame to be folded into and out of a folded position to facilitate the insertion and removal of the frame from the face mask and to adjust the face mask along the outer edges and bottom edges of the beard of a user, b) the side edges of the face mask being inwardly opposed and converge from the outer ends of the top rim and toward the bottom rim of the face mask, c) the side edges of the face mask being capable of extending along the face of the user and along the outer edges and bottom edges of the beard of a user,
 2. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the frame of the face mask is removable from the flaps.
 3. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the frame of the face mask is bendable and is constructed from a flexible material.
 4. The face mask of claim 1 wherein the first arm and the second arm of the frame are securely attachable to the face of a user and are slidably engageable with the user's beard to tighten the face mask and retain the face mask in a fitted position over the beard and face. 